Teapot 1810 - 1856

This teapot was made by Israel Trask, who worked in Massachusetts in the early 19th century. It's made primarily of pewter, with a wood handle. Pewter is an alloy of tin, with a bit of lead and other metals added for strength. What makes this teapot interesting is the way Trask has worked with the material. See how he's hammered and shaped the pewter into a simple, elegant form? The body is cylindrical, with a sharply angled spout and a domed lid. The wood handle provides a comfortable grip and a visual contrast to the cool, metallic surface of the pewter. The process of making pewter objects like this involved casting, hammering, and polishing. Pewter was a popular material for domestic objects in the 18th and 19th centuries, prized for its durability and affordability. While not as valuable as silver, pewter objects like this teapot offered a touch of elegance to the home. Looking at this teapot reminds us of the skilled labor and material culture that shaped everyday life in early America.